82. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

 

So last Wednesday night Kieran dragged me (very nearly kicking and screaming) in to watch the newest instalment of the Indy franchise. 

I don't have anything against these movies, in fact I have wanted to sit down and watch them for a really long time. It's just my attention span is somewhat lacking at the moment and a 154 minute film did not appeal to me. But I sat through it as was asked, as relationships are all about sacrifice and he has sat through many a wild film with me just for company. Now as the first Indiana Jones film I've sat through in its entirety, I actually really enjoyed it.

I openly admit I've only seen the first 25 minutes of the first movie. So I was surprised to pick up on the references made to other characters like Indy's son (whom I presume is Shia Labeouf) and appreciate the cameos made by classic Indy sidekicks. I was in this for Mads Mikkelsen though, he makes a tremendous villain. Somehow or other the IJ legacy has impacted me and because I know the characters and how this all ends I am going to set aside some time and watch the others.

First thing first, I hear it took 60 people to de-age Harrison Ford. They did a great job, and if I am not much mistaken they did the same for Mads Mikkelsen too, although this wasnt as noticeable as the man barely ages. The issue I have is they seemed to have forgotten to make Ford sound, well not like an old man. There is a serious difference between how Ford sounded back in the earlier Indy movies where they have used his youth from, and the 80 year old speaking in this one. He is weathered and it didn't fit, it spoilt it. Next time dub him.

Considering the whip and hat is what makes Indiana Jones an icon, the whip was not really used. I am aware this is an adventure of an 80 year old man and a more action orientated version of UP (dont hurt me, the similarities are there), but you would have thought he would have handed the mantel to Helena even if she wasnt as proficient with it as he was.

***UPDATE***

So Kieran had brought up a very good point after I published this review. What happened to Indy's murder charges? Why was this forgotten? He fled the country to catch up with Helena after she let him get framed for murder and then he was just free to walk about and no longer be a fugitive? When he woke up at the end of the movie why wasnt the police at his door? Did Helena sort it while he was out as assumably he got medical attention? We need answers.

Speaking of Helena, I liked the fact she had already picked up an apprentice. To my knowledge in each Indy movie we have some sort of figure who is being taught the ropes, a wee sidekick who causes trouble, gets our MC out of trouble, and is comic relief. If you want to be technical, Indy is the relief here as there isn't much he can do other than cause trouble, but young Teddy and Helena's relationship is sweet and traditional for these movies and it was like watching a hand me down to the new gen kind of movie.

I love a swashbuckling adventure movie with treasure and lost tombs and whatnot. So DoD really hit the spot. We had hidden tombs, cryptic clues, cobwebby skeletons, bugs, death, shooting, picturesque settings, pretty much everything needed to tick the box. I just felt like Ford's heart wasn't in it for what may be his last hurrah. There was too much grumpy old man energy and not enough wow look at this cool golden disk in my hand. We also didnt delve much into the treasure side, as in the artifacts we had in our hands. I wanted to learn more, I wanted more codes, more looking at notebooks, the history. Take my beloved National Treasure for example, it's an American history lesson without even realising it. DoD could have done the same even if we are only referring to myths and legends. Lara Croft successfully did it with Pandora's box, I just needed a little more, it was too precise and we focused on big chase scenes which could have been shorter. 

Let us talk about the newbies for a moment. Phoebe Waller-Bridge was excellent. She was sarky, smart, energetic, slightly corrupt. Everything we wanted from a powerful new woman who is taking on one of the biggest franchises going. She's got potential, she wasn't marketed as a love interest or a sex object and she was just cold and to the point. She's Indy's equal in this movie and he knows it, he knows he cant change her mind at any point or stop her, yet he tries anyway knowing she can be redeemed only because he sees himself in her. This was excellent writing and casting. 

Toby Jones is in literally everything and no one realises. I do, and I think he is marvellous. I was mentally high-fiving myself every time he said the word Lance, as I took it as an ode to his character in the Detectorists which I adore, who was named Lance. Regardless he made this movie feel homely and was a good source of comedy during the opening sequence with the Nazi's, as well as a more moving center point for later in the movie.

Ethann Isidore is brilliant as our new child sidekick. He did a great job of getting in trouble and then very quickly getting out of it and coming to the rescue of the others. I also liked the fact that he just wants a better life and less danger and you can see it in the moment he is being ridiculed by some rude rich kids. Yes, he robs them, but the way he treats himself to ice cream and wants to feel safe and normal for a moment had my heartstrings moving. 

Having Antonio Banderas as a cameo was a brilliant idea. Him being an old friend and useful connection to our trio was marvellous and he was loyal to the end. Wish we saw more of him though, he could have been the Sallah to Helena if he hadn't faded out so quickly.

And finally Mads Mikkelsen. This man is such a fantastic actor and I always want to see what he is in, he does villainy so well although I would also love to see him play the good guy. In this he is a Nazi who reckons he can do better than Hitler as the blame for losing the war lay at his feet in his eyes. Or that's how I took it anyway. He does reserved doctor very well in this movie, knowing just when and how to stay out of the action and avoid the fights, and yet is always on scene. He is the control and the mastermind and it is evident here, I'm pleased we didnt see him in a fist fight as it wouldnt have been right for the character. He's simply the man behind the smoking gun, not wishing to get his hands dirty too much, therefore the blame is someone else's.

All these talented people alongside Mr Ford made for an interesting and engaging movie. I was a little let down with how rushed the ending was though. 

The basis of this movie is that Helena, Indy's god-daughter, has found herself in trouble a little bit and is after the half of Archimedes Dial that she believes is in Indy's possession after a falling out with her father several years before. She's basically absorbed her father's obsessive research on the matter and sets out to make a big buck on it, so seeks out her godfather to steal it and move on.

Of course the bad guy who they stole it off to begin with also wants it and has been tailing Helena to get it. This causes a little bit of rukus, the finding of the second half, and then a short journey back in time where Indy tries to say goodbye and we meet the maker.

Of course a happy ending is then had, the bad guy is brutally and yet deservingly killed following a plane crash, thus technically being erased from history as he dies in a time several thousand years before his own, and one big happy family is seen at the end. I wanted more. Going back in time seemed a bit of a stretch but it is what it is, in order to have made this a little more believable I think a better lead up was needed. Indy suddenly shouts the calculation is off and we see a moment of madness from Mikkelsen before it is all too late, but the plane sequence was far too long and focusing on the wrong things. We didnt need to see Teddy screaming with the pilot of a plane he stole, or Helena crawling through the plane as a stowaway for as long as we did, we needed more explaining and convincing on how the math was wrong. We needed longer at the Siege of Syracuse and trying to abort their mission. I just wasn't very happy with the turn we took half an hour towards the end.

I enjoyed the fact this movie didn't take a supernatural turn, but a slightly scientific approach instead. There was no magical artefact which was a shame, but hard cold numbers and wormholes from there. It was cool, but we needed it explained and shown more. We again focused on too many chases and gun fights to fit everything needed in. I know we need action for Harrison Ford, and the horse on the subway scene was pretty cool, but did we need him being dragged around the streets for 10 minutes first?

To sum it up then, I'm giving Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny a 7/10. I'm pleased I watched it, and I'll do so again. I'm just a little disappointed in some places, otherwise this was a fitting potential goodbye to a beloved character.

Has anyone else watched this movie? Comment your thoughts on my socials!